Each week, Fort Detrick sent out a vaccine and cure shipment to other towns and communities. Under Tara’s watchful eye, they were slowly stepping up production. She hoped to have every human being in the country inoculated by the end of the year.
That didn’t mean there were no challenges to overcome. Food security remained an ongoing concern for many, as did access to healthcare. Factories and mines languished, and raiders were common, a scourge on the land. But none of that mattered at the moment. Not today.
They reached the paved steps leading up to the new school, and a familiar figure awaited them at the top. It was Amy. Her blonde hair hung down one shoulder in a thick braid, and her blue eyes studied them with a wisdom far beyond her years. “Hi, Tara. Saul.”
“Amy,” Tara acknowledged. “Are the children ready for me?”
“As ready as they’ll ever be. You know kids,” Amy replied, waving a hand at the entrance to the school.
“Have you got all the permission slips?” Tara asked.
“Every single one,” Amy said, beaming down at them.
“I can’t believe it,” Tara exclaimed. “Everyone?”
“That’s right. I managed to convince all the parents to let their kids get the shot. By the end of the day, the Vita virus won’t be a threat to them anymore.”
“That’s wonderful,” Tara said, walking up the steps.
She followed Amy into the hall, where the children waited in a long line. They giggled when they saw Tara, and she supposed they were nervous.
Amy had set up a booth for her complete with a table, chairs, waste bin, and a sheet for a curtain. “Here you go. I hope this is okay.”
“This is perfect, thanks,” Tara said, sitting down. She opened up her suitcase and removed the first vial of the vaccine. After organizing her equipment, she beckoned to Amy. “I’m ready for the first one and tell them not to be afraid. It doesn’t hurt, and it’ll be over before they know it.”
Amy obliged, and the first child stepped into the booth. It didn’t take long for a kind of rhythm set in, and the afternoon passed quickly. Before long, all the children had been inoculated, except one.
Jenny stepped into the booth, chewing on a thumbnail. Her eyes were like saucers and her cheeks pale.
“I saved the best for last,” Amy teased as she ushered Jenny forward.
“Jenny, how nice to see you,” Tara said with a wide smile. “Come give me a hug.”
Jenny gave Tara a quick hug before pointing at the needle. “Does it hurt?”
“A tiny bit, but you can handle it, I’m sure. You’re a big girl now,” Tara said.
Jenny nodded. “Okay, but make it quick.”
Tara gave her the jab. “There you go. All done.”
“See? It wasn’t so bad,” Amy said, producing a candy bar from her pocket. “And here’s your reward just like I promised. Now you can play with your friends.”
“Bye, Amy. Bye Auntie Tara and Uncle Saul,” Jenny cried before running off.
Tara stared after her. “I can’t believe how much she’s grown.”
“Yup, she’ll be taller than me soon,” Amy said.
Saul snorted. “It doesn’t take much.”
Amy rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“Does she still talk to that stuffed bear?” Tara asked.
“Rufus? Nah, she’s outgrown him. Now he’s just a toy. It’s mostly her and George now, especially since he saved her from that zombie.”
Tara shuddered. “George. He was such a cute puppy.”
Amy laughed. “Yeah, he’s a proper monster these days. Yesterday, he ate the TV remote.”
“I can believe that,” Tara said.
“Just keep him out of our yard,” Saul admonished. “The last time he got in I lost three pairs of underwear from the line.”
Amy grimaced. “I know. I had to pick up the pieces on my lawn.”
With a satisfied click, Tara shut her suitcase. “This was great. It’s at moments like these that I love my job.”
“Why? Because you got to jab a needle into a bunch of kids?” Saul teased.
“No, silly. Because I got to ensure that a whole generation of children will never succumb to the Vita virus’s ravages. Now, we can truly start to rebuild.”
“I’m glad you came, Tara,” Amy said. “As you say, this is the next step to a zombie-free future.”
“Yes, and you were a star, Amy,” Tara said. “You’ve got such a wonderful way with kids.”
“I like working with them,” Amy admitted. “I’ve even decided to make it my job.”
“Your job?” Tara asked.
“Yes, I want to become a teacher. I like molding young minds, and Andrew said he’d teach me as soon as I graduate. Until then, I help out after hours.”
“I’m happy for you, Amy,” Tara said, hugging her. “And pass my regards to Alex. I haven’t seen much of him lately.”
“He’s been on cloud nine ever since Amanda accepted his marriage proposal. When he’s not with her, he’s working. I don’t see all that much of him either,” Amy said with a laugh. “They’re both workaholics, especially now that she’s studying to be a surgeon.”
“I get that,” Tara said, flashing Saul a look. “But, luckily for Saul, I take more time off nowadays to spend with him. I’ve realized that it’s not all about work. Life is too short to spend it all on a job, right?”
“Right,” Saul agreed, leaning down to kiss her.
Amy laughed. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“Please do,” Tara said. “And don’t be scared to drop by anytime. I’d even be willing to give the kids a tour of the lab.”
“That could be interesting,” Amy said. “As long as you don’t have any live specimens in there. I still wake up in a sweat sometimes after being chased by a zombie.”
“Nope. No live specimens. I promise,” Tara said.
“Then it’s a deal. I’ll be in touch,” Amy
